What type of flooring would you use in a fixer?

Rental Property Investor · Norfolk, VA · Member since 2017 · 142 posts · 76 votes

Hi everyone!

I'm in the process of trying to select flooring for my live in flip. My husband and I will be living in this house for 3 years minimum so I don't want to go cheap with flooring but don't wanna go too expensive either. What type of flooring would you suggest or have you used and what's the max you would pay per SF? Thank you!

Maya

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Frank Wong

Real Estate Broker · Bay Area · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 3k+ votes

I like vinyl plank floors. They look like laminate but are waterproof. You can then rent out the house knowing that water won't be an issue from tenant spills. The floors are not as long tested in the market place like laminate but if the claims and durability on warranty are true then I really like the product. So far I am happy with the results. Most people think it looks like wood. The ones I buy are around $2.80-3.20sqft.

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Ben Wilkins
Rental Property Investor · York, PA · Member since 2017 · 377 posts · 315 votes
7y
Originally posted by @Gary L Wallman:
Originally posted by @Ben Wilkins:
As I haven't seen any brands listed, I'll go ahead and recommend QuickStep Wood Plank Laminate. I've used it in my own home as well as several apartments now, and love it. My own house has a 3 year old boy, a dog, three cats, and I work in a Paint Shop so usually have some harsher chemicals on my shoes when I come home - I have yet to see any wear on the flooring in the year that we've had it.
Pros:
$2/sqft
Durable
Underlayment pre-attached (if you choose to use that - I did and have had no issue, but have only been walking on the floor for a year so can't say how long it will hold up).

Easy to install - grab a rubber mallet, a crowbar, and a flooring / table saw. I used a jigsaw and contour gauge for the cuts around corners / fixtures.
Can be installed over previous laminate / tiling if the floor is even.
The pics are attached so you can see how it looks - it was cheap enough to put in a C class rental that hadn't been updated in over a decade, and durable enough that I won't have to worry about it for another decade. I took these pics for my own satisfaction of before / after and didn't bother with lighting and making it look great, but it should show the improvement:
Ben,
While laminate can be durable it is nowhere as durable as LVP. Water will destroy it almost immediately on contact. The product has a composite type substrate that soaks up water through the seams. That is why it needs an underlayment or in your products case, has it pre-attached. That's OK for a damp sub floor, but will do nothing in the event of a large water spill or plumbing leak.
Gary - there are quite a few waterproof laminate tongue/groove styles out there, including the Quick Step brand. I wouldn't suggest using in the bathroom, but I also have had great success in my own house and rentals with this so far.
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Ben Wilkins
Rental Property Investor · York, PA · Member since 2017 · 377 posts · 315 votes
7y
Originally posted by @Mindy Jensen:
Originally posted by @Ben Wilkins:

Easy to install - grab a rubber mallet, a crowbar, and a flooring / table saw. I used a jigsaw and contour gauge for the cuts around corners / fixtures.
I've never seen this contour gauge before. Ben, I'd vote your post one billion times if I could. This is going to change my life. I feel like I should have known about this before...
Mindy - as community manager, I bet you could pull some strings to give me those billion upvotes... I certainly wouldn't complain!
I found the contour gauge when shopping in Lowe's one time, and it's been a life-saver when cutting flooring. I keep one in my tool bag and one at home just in case I ever need it
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Mindy JensenPro Member
BiggerPockets Money Podcast Host · Longmont, CO · Member since 2014 · 7k+ posts · 10k+ votes
7y
I wish I could pull those strings... That thing is awesome. It's on my list for my next HD/Lowe's run.
[email protected]Podcast Guest on Show #261
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Sean Campbell
Member since 2019 · 1 post · 1 vote
7y
@Maya Torres LVP or LVT. Definitely wanna go with laminate throughout.
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Maya Torres
OP
Rental Property Investor · Norfolk, VA · Member since 2017 · 142 posts · 76 votes
7y
Originally posted by @Robert Brunson:

@Maya Torres Its 10 percent on Everything from Flooring to Modlings and Pad. I can Also hook you up with a discount if I know before you come next time
I messaged you! I will be putting in an order for 900SF of flooring tomorrow.
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